AstraZeneca and its global biologics R&D arm, MedImmune, will present new data from its growing respiratory portfolio and pipeline at the 113th annual conference of the American Thoracic Society which starts tomorrow in Washington.

The breadth and depth of science behind AstraZeneca’s growing respiratory portfolio and pipeline are reflected in the 59 accepted abstracts, including three oral presentations and 13 poster discussions, which will focus on the unmet needs of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A highlight will be the reporting of data from two new trials from the WINDWARD programme for benralizumab, AstraZeneca’s most-advanced respiratory biologic medicine.

Tom Keith-Roach, VP Respiratory at AstraZeneca, said: “We are particularly excited to share the results of the ZONDA trial, looking at the potential for benralizumab to reduce or discontinue oral corticosteroids, which are a significant burden to many patients with severe asthma.”